NJAC's Chief Servant Makandal Daaga sounded a chilling warning about the still raging world economic crisis which he said could be affecting Trinidad and Tobago at some point in the future.

"Once you are part of this world you will not be affected and not even the oil and gas we have, will be able to prevent what is to come. We have to prepare to deal with that situation," the Chief Servant emphasised.

Daaga was at that time chairing the official opening of NJAC's Tobago Headquarters at Lowlands (opposite the Lowlands Mall) last Sunday. The well attended function featured speeches and cultural performances and the only sour point was when the sound system provider Dopson Alleyne chose to take leave during the function which prevented a number of artistes from performing. He returned when the function ended. His irresponsible action clearly affected the artistes.

However, there were some excellent presentations on the day. After the Wayne Guerra led drummers and Hope Pan Groovers opened the event, it was former Public Service Head Reginald Dumas who first spoke. He expressed the view that there was too much talk in the country which is causing division in the society. He urged NJAC to bring the type of leadership in terms of its outlook and vision to propel a forward movement in the country. "NJAC must take the lead," Dumas insisted. He called for more to be done in this year for African people.

Former national football coach Bertille St Clair showered much praise on NJAC for consistency over the years despite the hardships the organisation encountered. St Clair who was the first coach to take an English speaking team to a World Cup final (1998 Under 20 Finals) made the point that "nothing good comes easy." Known in football circles as an ultimate disciplinarian, Coach St Clair noted that "the secret to success is hard work."

Former 1970 activist and business operative Ethelbert Wilson recalled the early days of the 1970 movement and the goals to transform the society. Wilson who has invested in the Tobago tourism sector said, "Not much has changed in Tobago since 1970, although there might be some new buildings on the island, we may well be in a more backward state than in 1970." Waxing warm, the 1970 frontline speaker noted that "all this talk about more autonomy for Tobago means nothing unless Tobago developed a strong economy." "At present," he added, "we do not have an economy of worth in Tobago because we have witnessed the collapse of the tourism economy and there is no replacement. "There is no data of statistics on the Tobago economy; we now have to define a way forward," Wilson said.

Liseli Daaga, the wife of Makandal Daaga, and who herself is a veteran of the 1970 struggle and who is also Principal of NJAC's Educational Institute, spoke of "the need for educational development of the people of the nation." She noted that "NJAC has played its part in educating the people of Tobago and Trinidad for the past 40 years; we treated the entire nation as a school." Liseli suggested that the new NJAC Headquarters must go in the direction as a place of education.

Senator Embau Moheni, the Head of the Tobago NJAC who has recently been promoted as Minister in the Ministry of Culture praised Makandal Daaga for his contribution and guidance in his political development. Describing Daaga as "a brother" Senator Moheni told the audience that the Chief Servant has stood with the NJAC members through thick and thin. Moheni noted that "politics is not simply the road to parliament but how to establish a sense of service to the community and nation."

He also indicated the constant need for interacting with the people so that our demands will be those for the people.

In winding down the session Chief Servant Makandal Daaga told those present that he preferred "the title Chief Servant to that of His Excellency because my whole life is about giving service to the people." Daaga who was arrested on numerous occasions under the PNM Government during his struggle for a new and just society spoke with his usual depth and vigour. The former St Mary's College and UWI student said, "The world is in trouble, President Obama is getting problems to get Congress to agree to release funds to service America's debts, Europe is also in serious trouble, as nation after nation has to be bailed out of their financial troubles." The Chief Servant predicted that Trinidad and Tobago must take note of what is happening in the world and make preparations, because not even the little gas and oil we now sell will be able to prevent what is coming." "Some have to think about how to escape this crisis," he added.

Earlier in the proceedings, the NJAC Headquarters was blessed by Arch Deacon Phil Isaac, Baptist Arch Deacon Brother Cowie and NJAC Chief Elder Aiyogoro Ome. Candice Robinson and junior calypsonians Adrianna Adams had time to perform before the sound system provider abandoned his responsibility.

Meanwhile, Anum Bankole from NJAC North and Brother Opio from South NJAC brought greetings to Tobago NJAC on the acquisition of their new headquarters.